Prescription Painkiller Overdose Deaths Increased Among Women, CDC Reports

Why it matters locally: Pennsylvania, with a population of nearly 13 million, has seen its share of the national opioid crisis. This CDC report may influence ongoing public health initiatives within the state aimed at addressing prescription painkiller abuse among women.

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Atlanta -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Vital Signs report today detailing a marked increase in prescription painkiller overdose deaths among women. According to the report, this type of fatality increased five-fold between 1999 and 2010. The CDC's Vital Signs report tracks health trends in the United States. This particular report focused on mortality data related to prescription painkiller overdoses, specifically examining the trends affecting women. The findings indicate a substantial escalation in the rate of deaths attributed to these overdoses within the studied timeframe. The report did not elaborate on the underlying causes for the increase, but the data reveals a noteworthy change in mortality patterns related to prescription painkiller usage among women. Further information is available from the CDC.